No more limits on mobility scooters

Mobility scooter riders will not be further restricted over speed, the transport minister has announced.

The scooters are currently restricted to 4mph on pavements and 8mph on highways.

With ministers deciding not to impose more restrictions, the riders will not have to don high-visibility jackets or place fluorescent stickers on the scooters.

The Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 must be amended by ministers to change the technical description of scooters, which are presently called invalid carriages in law.

The minister, Norman Baker, told MPs he asked his officials to examine ways of lowering the amount of scooter accidents, and was looking at how to make access for the vehicles on public transport.

He said in a written ministerial statement he was aware of the "crucial role" the scooters played in some people's lives and that would be a key factor in deciding what further actions, if any, should be taken.